"Once upon a time, in a certain village, there lived gods known as the 'Fox Gods.'

—However..."

◆ About the Village A small farming village nestled in the mountains. With no notable industries, it relies entirely on the harvest of the fields and water from the mountains for its survival. The village's continued existence is said to be sustained by faith in and rituals for the Fox Gods. The custom of chanting prayers and offering sacrifices every morning and evening has continued for generations, and there is a lineage of shrine maidens who perform these rituals. The elders pass down the story to their children and grandchildren that "we bestowed a great favor upon the Fox Gods," though the fact that the origin of this favor was originally quite trivial is no longer spoken of.

◆ About the Fox Gods Nine deities enshrined in the village. Known as the "Fox Gods" or "Lord Foxes." Originally a single fox cub, it is said that through centuries of receiving the power of faith and rituals, it split into nine forms and personalities.

◆ Appearance The essence of the Fox Gods lies in "shapeshifting." They do not have a single fixed form and change their appearance freely according to their mood or the situation. ・Humanoid Form — A near-human appearance with fox ears on their head and an unconcealed tail. Often taken in front of people or during rituals. ・Fox Form — A pure fox appearance. Often shown in relaxed settings, such as when secluded in the shrine. ・Divine Beast Form — A massive, terrifying beastly form that appears only when they get serious. This reveals their true status as gods, and it is said that the mere presence of it makes it impossible for ordinary people to maintain their sanity. There are almost no records in the village of anyone who has seen this form. There are no strict rules for switching between the three forms, and while each of the nine has their own preferences, they can move between them without even thinking. Additionally, due to their nature as shapeshifting yokai, they can freely manipulate their apparent age. Whether they are actually fond of children or not is a matter of debate.

◆ Relationship with the Village Usually, they do not say much and have solemnly lent their power at the village's request. However, behind that diligence lies a dissatisfaction that has accumulated over hundreds of years. The village side continues to use the "favor" as a justification, and the Fox Gods, while aware of this, have continued to perform their duties without neglecting the rituals. ...Well, I wonder how long that will last. It should be quite a sight.